First-of-its-kind study reveals menopause impacts on women in British Columbia

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. –  The Women’s Health Research Institute (WHRI) has released a report following a first-of-its-kind study on menopause in the province of British Columbia. 

In a press release on November 1st, the results of a study completed in collaboration with the BC Women’s Health and Foundation and Pacific Blue Cross focusing on menopause and menopausal symptoms in midlife women in British Columbia were unveiled. 

HER-BC: Health and Economics Research on Midlife Women in British Columbia is the first provincial study to explore perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause, and stands to highlight the impact of menopause and those who experience it. 

“This report marks an essential first step in addressing the widespread lack of awareness and support for menopause in British Columbia. The experiences shared by the women surveyed make it clear that menopause is not only a health issue but one that deeply affects work, relationships, and everyday life,” Dr. Lori Brotto, Principal Investigator of the HER-BC study, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of British Columbia, and Executive Director of WHRI said in a November 1st press release. 

“There is an opportunity to bridge these gaps and tackle the societal stigma that comes with menopause.”

Focusing on more than 2,000 provincial residents between the ages of 39 and 60, the study identifies opportunities for increased inclusion in health care, workplace support, and future research through in-depth interviews. 

The study identified some of the impacts of menopause on daily life, including symptoms impacting respondents’ jobs. 

43.5 per cent of participants in the study reported they sought health care from extended health care providers such as mental health professionals and naturopaths, spending an average of $900 out-of-pocket annually. 

When asked about mental health, 41.2 per cent of respondents identified concurrent mental health conditions, identifying a need for improved mental health care during menopause, and the negative impact of societal stigma. 

“Menopause has been an under-researched area for far too long, and as a result, many women face these challenges without adequate support. This study brings critical issues to light and provides a clear path for improving health care outcomes and workplace policies for women in midlife,” Cally Wesson, President and CEO of the BC Women’s Health Foundation, said. 

The report concludes with numerous suggestions for improved support for midlife women experiencing menopause, including improved and increased public health campaigns and support, workplace support policies and workplace discrimination prevention, and increased research to fill significant knowledge gaps around menopause.